2.1.1. The Localism Act 2011 provides that planning policy developed by communities shall, if passed by an independent examination and passed by a local referendum, be adopted by the Local Planning Authority. It is intended to become part of the Statutory Planning Policy Framework and will have the same legal status as the Mole Valley Development Plan.
2.1.2. The Westcott Village Forum was established in 2012 for the purpose of developing this Westcott Neighbourhood Development Plan (WNDP), by gathering evidence, canvassing the views of the villagers and incorporating these into the Plan.
2.2.1. The plan period is from 2017 to 2026. The Policies of the WNDP are amongst the most important for local planning application decision-making alongside the overall planning strategy set by Mole Valley District Council in its Development Plan.
2.2.2. These WNDP policies are aimed at making sure that the opportunities that exist for local people to solve their own development issues are positively supported through the planning process. It is vital that the overall strategy for planning in Westcott remains in place and the landscape and character of the village is protected.
2.2.3. The WNDP policies are focused on helping provide appropriate housing within the village and premises for appropriate business needs and community requirements.
2.2.4. The policies also give much greater weight to the views of Westcott Village through the results of the village survey, in which 75% of households participated. Through the WNDP we have the opportunity to influence the decision making of Mole Valley District Council, and to prevent out of scale development that risks spoiling the character of the village while allowing smaller, more appropriate development.
2.2.5. Other policies are also included in the WNDP. For example, one such policy is to ensure that any future development in the village will provide in so far as it is possible for its own parking requirements, so that the on-street parking situation is not worsened.
2.3.1. The process towards achieving a WNDP began with the creation of a Village Forum, formally designated by Mole Valley District Council, in March 2013. Members were recruited to be representative of the village by age, gender and location. Forum meetings were held every three months, and all decisions were made at quorate meetings. The publicity campaign to engage the village throughout the process is in Appendix 1. In brief this consisted of an active website, village meetings, publicity flyers, public open discussions, Parish Magazine articles, a summary of the village survey and a Green Belt boundary walk.
2.3.2. In mid-2013 MVDC delegated to the Forum, a Green Belt boundary review as a prerequisite to the consultation being carried out by them on their long term strategic planning. A draft review was prepared following extensive empirical data gathering. It was then consulted on through a series of public meetings and exhibitions. Many villagers also attended a conducted walk of the existing Green Belt boundaries before a final draft was put forward. This was published and approved by the Village Forum.
2.3.3. The Green Belt Boundary Review was submitted to MVDC in March 2014 to inform their district wide review of the Green Belt boundaries as part of the evidence base for the district-wide Housing and Traveller Sites Plan (HTSP) which was under preparation at that time. However, in December 2014, MVDC terminated preparation of the HTSP and decided to embark upon the production of a completely new Local Plan. Since changes to the Green Belt boundary are outside the scope of a Neighbourhood Development Plan, the Green Belt boundary review does not form part of this WNDP.
2.3.4. In 2013 the Village Forum designed, produced, and distributed to every dwelling and business in the ward a Survey questionnaire, containing questions around housing, the Green Belt, shops and services, business development, facilities and amenities, mobile and internet services, community issues, roads, health, well-being and social issues, parking and travel.
2.3.5. 75% of residents completed the survey questionnaire which was then analysed, and the results published in a Survey Results booklet (Appendix 2) which was distributed to every dwelling in the ward.
2.3.6. The policies contained in the WNDP refer directly to the answers given by the villagers to the Village Survey.
2.3.7. When the WNDP is submitted to Mole Valley District Council, it will include a Basic Conditions statement which proves that the Neighbourhood Plan satisfies these conditions. In order for MVDC to adopt the WNDP, it must be satisfied that the plan is in general conformity with the existing Local Planning Policy and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This criteria of alignment must be met for the WNDP to succeed.
2.3.8. The draft WNDP was approved by the Village Forum, and then consulted on with the residents of the village. Feedback from this consultation process has been analysed and the plan amended as required.
2.3.9. This version of the plan has been drafted for the purposes of consultation with statutory authorities, significant local landowners, and the village community at large.
2.3.10. In this form the Plan will be sent to Mole Valley District Council who will publish the draft Plan, invite representations and appoint on our behalf an Independent Examiner to appraise the Development Plan.
2.3.11. If approved by the Independent Examiner, the plan will be put to a Village Referendum, with a vote to approve or not. The Referendum is expected to take place in early 2018.
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